READING: Boy, 16 Arrested In Connection To Homophobic Attack On Two Men

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to a homophobic attack in Reading last week.

By Newsdesk | 29th July 2013

Thames Valley police have released a statement which confirms that one 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to a homophobic assault which happened in the early hours on Sunday 21st July in Cintra Park, Reading.

The two gay men were walking through the park just after midnight after spending the evening at a barbeque, when they were set upon by a gang of youths, beaten and one of the men robbed of cash and cards.

The boy from Reading, was released on police bail until 20th August.

PC Nick Hook of Reading Local CID, is calling for help from anyone who may have seen the attackers, who are described as youths aged 15-20, some of them are described as being stripped to the waist.

One was a white male of slim build approximately five ft with short dark hair and wearing no top. Another was a white boy of slim build, aged about 15, and about five ft with short dark hair, wearing long trousers and no top. A third boy was white, of slim build aged about 16 with dark hair, wearing dark tracksuit trousers and a top.

He said: "We are investigating the incident as a homophobic hate crime which has left the victims understandably shaken.

"This incident is being treated extremely seriously. We will not tolerate hate crimes in our community and will be making every effort to track down and bring to justice those responsible."

Call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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